Etymology : Middle English cristal, from Old French, from Latin crystallum, from Greek krystallos; more at CRUST
Pronunciation : 'kris-t
&l
Function : noun
Date : 13th century
1. transparent mineral (especially a type of quartz); type of clear glass. crystal\crys"tal\ (kr?s"tal), n. [oe. cristal, f. cristal, l. crystallum crystal, ice, fr. gr. , fr. icy cold, frost; cf. as. crystalla, fr. l. crystallum; prob. akin to e. crust. see:
crust, raw.].
2. (chem. & min.) the regular form which a substance tends to assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive attraction. it is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios. see:
crystallization.
3. the material of quartz, in crystallization transparent or nearly so, and either colorless or slightly tinged with gray, or the like; -- called also rock crystal. ornamental vessels are made of it. cf. smoky quartz, pebble; also brazilian pebble, under brazilian.
4. a species of glass, more perfect in its composition and manufacture than common glass, and often cut into ornamental forms. see:
flint glass.
5. the glass over the dial of a watch case.
6. anything resembling crystal, as clear water, etc. the blue crystal of the seas.
7. The regular form which a substance tends to assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive attraction.
8. It is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios.
9. See Crystallization.
10. The material of quartz, in crystallization transparent or nearly so, and either colorless or slightly tinged with gray, or the like; called also rock crystal.
11. Ornamental vessels are made of it.
12. Cf.
13. Smoky quartz, Pebble; also Brazilian pebble, under Brazilian.
14. A species of glass, more perfect in its composition and manufacture than common glass, and often cut into ornamental forms.
15. See Flint glass.
16. The glass over the dial of a watch case.
17. Anything resembling crystal, as clear water, etc.
18. Consisting of, or like, crystal; clear; transparent; lucid; pellucid; crystalline. a protective cover that protects the face of a watch glassware made of quartz a crystalline element used as a component in various electronic devices a rock formed by the solidification of a substance; has regularly repeating internal structure; external plane faces a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure.
19. 1. A crystal is a small piece of a substance that has formed naturally into a regular symmetrical shape. salt crystals. a single crystal of silicon. see also:
liquid crystal, liquid crystal display.
20. Crystal is a transparent rock that is used to make jewellery and ornaments. a strand of crystal beads.
21. Crystal is a high quality glass, usually with patterns cut into its surface. Some of the finest drinking glasses are made from lead crystal. crystal glasses.
22. Glasses and other containers made of crystal are referred to as crystal. Get out your best china and crystal. Any solid material whose atoms are arranged in a definite pattern and whose surface regularity reflects its internal symmetry. Each of a crystal's millions of individual structural units (unit cells) contains all the substance's atoms, molecules, or ions in the same proportions as in its chemical formula (see:
formula weight). The cells are repeated in all directions to form a geometric pattern, manifested by the number and orientation of external planes (crystal faces). Crystals are classified into seven crystallographic systems based on their symmetry: isometric, trigonal, hexagonal, tetragonal, orthorhombic, monoclinic, and triclinic. Crystals are generally formed when a liquid solidifies, a vapour becomes supersaturated (see:
saturation), or a liquid solution can no longer retain dissolved material, which is then precipitated. Metals, alloys, minerals, and semiconductors are all crystalline, at least microscopically. (A noncrystalline solid is called amorphous.) Under special conditions, a single crystal can grow to a substantial size; examples include gemstones and some artificial crystals. Few crystals are perfect; defects affect the material's electrical behaviour and may weaken or strengthen it. See also liquid crystal. Crystal Night crystal lattice Crystal Palace liquid crystal liquid crystal display rock crystal.